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We proclaim... what we have seen and heard. (1John 1:3)

I last wrote about the visibility of God's kingdom (see my blog The Season of Advent).  God's Kingdom is visible when broken lives are made new, in healing, in being set free, in the lost being found and in lives transformed by God's love, grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.

There will be an abundance of those signs if we are faithful, obedient and unwavering in the following disciplines of our walk with God

The Advent season is the first season of the year in the Christian calendar - the cycle of prayer and worship that tells the story of God's purposes in creation, redemption and new creation.

It is a time of watching, a time of waiting and a time of preparation. We watch, wait and prepare ourselves for the Coming of Christ.  We watch, wait and prepare for the coming of God's Kingdom.  It is both watching, waiting and preparing for Christ's first coming as the incarnate Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David and His second coming as Judge of all.

A great evening with the Holy Spirit moving amongst us! A powerful testimony and true blessing.

Great week at New Wine! Amazing presence of the Holy Spirit!

The most moving moments at New Wine are the stories we hear of God's working and power in the secret places.

The secret places of our hearts. The secret places in our lives that we want no-one to see perhaps because we are ashamed and guilty. But it's not only the shameful things that God touches.  He touches our weakness, our vulnerability, our fears that stop us from risking being open to God and one another.

I will not spoil anything for you but since writing yesterday I have heard two of the most powerful messages this week.  These talks will be coming home on DVD for us all to benefit from them.  So I won't spoil it because what I may say would only be a pale reflection of some thought-provoking, faith-inspiring, passion-raising content.

I am amazed at how God confirms all that we are about and all that I dream we should become.

For 8 years now we have been laying a foundation on which our vision, ethos, prayer, worship,  amongst usrelationships, commitment and passion are built and drive their purpose.

Our vision is to reach the whole community of Endon, from cradle to grave. To see God' Kingdom advance amongst us.  That vision is not rocket science - you don't need a theology degree to follow it.

As i said in Day 2 blog - we only need OBEDIENCE.

The Big Question many of us have at St Luke's is 'how come we're doing all the right things and yet seeing little growth?'  Might the seminar of yesterday afternoon entitled Church Growth Inhibitors hold some answers or insights?

Drawing from the book of Acts, it was a timely reminder to address a few issues: raising up and appointing new leaders, appointing an administrator, but what really struck me was the question 'How comfortable are we with growth?'

 Arrived, set-up camp, evening worship and first morning session to reflect on.

Arrived early, 3rd in queue to enter.  Shown to site on the showground - one of the first to set up! Great!! By early evening couldn't move!!  Tripping over guy ropes, ears bashed by neighbouring guitarists, conversations and rows.  So overcrowded - everyone stressed and quite scary in terms of safety.  This afternoon - loads more space with folks being moved so we can now get our caravan off should we need to!

Joint service at St. Chad's 10:30 a.m.